Tournaments

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

I amazingly got an early copy of Sweet Filthy Boy from netgalley. I pretty much did a major happy dance when I saw I had been approved. Christina and Lauren have a way with words that usually leave me barely able to breathe from laughter! Don't make a lady that has had 4 babies laugh hysterically! Not a good thing! TMI?!?!? LOL Anyways, I love the characters that they create. I want to be BFF's with all of them! I had in my mind that I would do a funny teaser because that's what I like most about them is their humor. But once I went a looked back on the lines that I had bookmarked, the one that stuck out to me the most was not funny. I had to pick it though because I think it's beautiful and so very true!

Monday, April 28, 2014

I can't believe that the final book in the Lux series is so close to being here! It's a bittersweet feeling. Whereas, I'm dying to know what's going to happen, I am so sad for it be over. Katy and Damon have become staples in our lives, and it will be hard to say goodbye! Good thing is, JLA is basically The Flash when it comes to writing, and I can just go get lost in another of her series. Thanks Jennifer for giving us Katy and Damon and their wonderful story! Now check out this awesome cover!!!!

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Entangled

Releases: August 5th, 2014

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

The Blue-Haired Boy by Courtney C. Stevens
HarperTeen, available now
Reviewed by: Honorary Sis Sarah P.
The Sisters Say: An exciting, well-crafted short story

Set before the events of Courtney C. Stevens's debut novel, Faking Normal, this digital short story focuses on Bodee Lennox, otherwise known as the Kool-Aid Kid.Bodee Lennox has secrets. About where he got the four-inch scar on his leg. About the bruises on his back. About what it's really like to live in the Lennox household. These are things he doesn't share with anyone . . . until he meets Gerry, a girl with bright-green hair and a smile the size of Alaska. When Gerry falls out of a bus in Rickman, Tennessee, and lands at Bodee's feet, she gives Bodee two things he desperately needs: a friend and a chance to leave Rickman behind, even if it's just for a few hours.He joins Gerry on her epic bus trip for as far as his money will take him. And by the end of the day, more of Bodee has changed than just the color of his hair.HarperTeen Impulse is a digital imprint focused on young adult short stories and novellas, with new releases the first Tuesday of each month.

There's a lot to get excited about in this short prequel to Ms. Steven's debut. I reviewed Faking Normal when it came earlier this year. And I had some issues with the plot. But this quirky prequel was fantastic.

Now, I'm always a little in awe of people who write short stories. Without the length of a novel to flesh out themes and surprises, crafting a poignant short work seems tricky. But Stevens has done it here, serving up plot, emotion and a twist in 8 short chapters. The entire story lives inside a single day in Bodee Lennox's (the brightly-dyed boy from Faking Normal) life. And what a day!

Funny, weird, random and sad. This little story is all those things, and all in under an hour. And I'm loving the idea behind HarperImpulse and these shorts. This one is $0.99. (A quick search of "HarperTeen Impulse" on Amazon turns up titles at $1.99, too.) There isn't always time to dig into a novel. And if a story is as high-quality as this one, then sign me up.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is All Lined Up by Cora Carmack. It releases from William Morrow on May 13th, 2014. We love Cora and when you combine her writing with Texas, football and college then that is a recipe no one will want to miss!

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

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"I begin to walk toward the steps leading offstage when my treacherous, really should be replaced knees prove that I'm dissolving. Or snapping. Or being the bravest I've ever been. I must be a little bit brave, at least, because I"m not completely numb. I want to find a piece of paper and scribble notes--at the very least, the motif that sparked this whirlwind.

But my mind and my body have parted ways. I sort of...sag. The lights are bright and the handrail is hard to see.

Monday, April 21, 2014

When a gorgeous young dancer walks through his door, a strip club owner must decide whether to follow his rules or his heart in the third novel by the author of One Tiny Lie and Ten Tiny Breaths.

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

I loved Cain and Charlie's story. Cain is an anomaly. A strip club owner who wants the girl's in his club to not strip and to make something of themselves. Something happened in Cain's past that has him seeking atonement. And that atonement lies in the form of helping the girls that work for him. That's why he can't say no to Charlie when she walks into his club even though everything in him tells him to run the other way. Charlie pushes all of his buttons and causes ghosts from his past to resurrect. Fate shakes her cruel head though and there is nothing that Cain can do to protect his heart.

Charlie on the other hand is fighting demons of her own. Her demons are still very much in her present. The things haunting her are dangerous beyond measure, and she is bringing something into Cain's club that no one ever saw coming. No one is safe with Charlie around.

Cain is trying to run from his past while Charlie is trying to escape her future. This book is full of twists and turns. Be prepared for a heart-pounding, suspenseful ride full of great romance that will give you no peace until you finish the book! It's a perfect escape that I wish I could read again for the first time!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Today, Stacey O'Neale and Phoenix Reign Publishing are revealing the cover for

MORTAL ENCHANTMENT, releasing on May 20, 2014!

Check out the awesome cover and enter to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!!

On to the reveal!

“Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.”
Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...

If you haven't read THE SHADOW PRINCE, you can download if NOW for FREE from Amazon and Barnes and Noble!!!

Every sacrifice has consequences.
Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:
Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.
Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.
Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Today we have a special sneak peak of Tease by Sophie Jordan. Tease is book 2 in the Ivy Chronicles series. I LOVE both of these books so much! I will post a full review soon, but I do have to say that I have already read Tease TWICE! It's so so so good! I think I might go read it again when I'm done with this post.;) So enjoy a little sneak peak to hold you over until May 27th. And, if you haven't read Foreplay, now is the perfect time to pick it up before book 2 hits stores! Click on the cover or here to read the excerpt.

Monday, April 7, 2014

The sport she loves is out of reach. The boy she loves has someone else. What now?She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He’s way out of Corey’s league.Also, he’s taken.Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the “gimp ghetto” of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.They’re just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she’s falling. Hard.But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won’t, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness — one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who’s afraid to love her back.

This New Adult title has something for everyone. A brown-eyed hockey playing hero, and a firecracker

heroine who will heal her own heartbreak if it kills her. And then there's the ivy-covered setting, with its Harry Potteresque dining halls and house vs. house intramural competitions.

It's a different kind of college tale, with a slow-burn love story. Keep the tissues handy! The giveaway is cute, too, with fancy notecards as well as a copy of the book. Enjoy!

Sarina Bowen lives in Vermont, with her family, eight chickens, and more hockey and ski gear than really seems necessary. She can be found on Twitter @sarinabowen.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Today we have the pleasure of hosting the Blog Tour for Lori Foster's Dash of Peril. If you follow our blog, you know that I LOVE Lori Foster! She's an insta-read for me, and I urge you to check her out.

Dash of Peril by Lori Foster
Received from HQN
Available Now
Reviewed by Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: It's Lori Foster--of course it's a must read!!!

A no-nonsense female cop reluctantly teams up with the one man who makes her lose control in a deliciously sensual new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster...

To bring down a sleazy abduction ring, Lieutenant Margaret "Margo" Peterson has set herself up as bait. But recruiting Dashiel Riske as her unofficial partner is a whole other kind of danger. Dash is 6'4" of laid-back masculine charm, a man who loves life—and women—to the limit. Until Margo is threatened, and he reveals a dark side that may just match her own.

Beneath Margo's tough facade is a slow-burning sexiness that drives Dash crazy. The only way to finish this case is to work together side by side…skin to skin. And as their mission takes a lethal turn, he'll have to prove he's all the man she needs—in all the ways that matter.

Lori Foster is one of my MUST READ authors. In fact, Lori is one of those authors that I kind of goodreads stalk to see when her next read is coming out. Dash of Peril was no different--I couldn't wait to see what Logan's brother had in store for us. And, like with all of Lori's other books, this one does not disappoint.

The best thing about Lori's books are her males--oh so hot alpha males that will make your knees weak and your heart swoon. Dash, however, isn't completely like her former leading men. Dash isn't a cop or a detective or a badass "get the bad guys" type of guy--he's more laid back, easy going and carefree. At the same time, though, he is still alpha male. He's just the cuddly type! I really enjoyed seeing the softer side of her men, and although I still prefer the guys that are a bit more kick butt; Dash really did steal my heart.

The other thing that is always so great about Lori's books are the action scenes. She interweaves her storyline seamlessly, and I love that there is action (danger action) in almost every chapter. It makes it feel more well-rounded, and you can really see a depth to her characters with these scenes. Her books are just the run of the mill love stories that are so common.

I also love that Lori brings in those other characters that we love so much like Logan and Reese and Rowdy--and all the girly talk that goes with their women :)

The only thing that bothered me about this book (and it wasn't a big deal really) was that I didn't really connect with Margo like I did with the other female main characters in her previous books. She is a bit too uptight for me, and I felt like she needed to bridge her desires with her personality. While I didn't dislike her, I did find myself wishing she were a little more girly.

Overall, this is a fantastic book, and a Lori Foster fans will love Dash. If you're a fan of romantic suspense and alpha males, then put all of Lori's books on your TBR list!!

Friday, April 4, 2014

I'm an avid reader of YA and adult paranormal romance. I try to read a book a week. For me, reading is an escape. When my life gets overwhelming, I like to disappear inside a new world. It's easy to do that with paranormal. I also love the swoony men that tend to run rapid in these worlds. ;-p2. Where do your ideas come from?

Everyday life. I've gotten ideas while watching television, driving, showering, conversation with family/friends, etc. For that reason, I always carry a small notebook so I can write them down. I have a spreadsheet on my computer I keep them on. Not all of my ideas are paranormal. They are all over the place.

3. Why did you decide to write a series about elementals?

I was researching faeries when I kept coming across the word elemental. I googled the name and happened to stumble upon the sixteenth century works of an alchemist named Paracelsus. He identified the four types of elementals, even giving them names. My brain started spinning with ideas, and eventually, the characters came to life.

4. Can you tell us a little bit about Rowan?

Rowan is the heir to the fire court throne. He is a powerful elemental who's spent most of his life away from the court. He's got tons of family drama, but also good friends who help him through it. At times he can be a bit arrogant as most princes are, but he's also thoughtful and loyal to the people he loves.

5. Is Rowan based on anyone you know? Is there a famous actor you could compare him to?

I think Rowan is made up of four or five people. It's small facets of their personalities embellished, then fused together to make one person. As far as physical appearance, I think he looks a bit like Luke Grimes on True Blood.

6. What was the hardest scene to write in THE SHADOW PRINCE?

It's difficult to answer this without giving anything away. I will say there's a scene where a character is forced (literally) to do something horrible to someone they love. It has a deep impact on both characters in different ways. Because I love both of them so much, it was really hard to go through it with them.

7. Why did you decide to give the novella away for FREE?

Because I'm a new author, I thought I would get more readers to give it a chance if it were free. I hope they fall in love with Rowan the way I have and want to know more about his role in the series. I also thought it would be fun to introduce Kalin (my series heroine) through his eyes.

8. What is your favorite quote?

I have two. "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." e.e. cummings
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson

9. Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have a list of what I call my auto-buys. I will read anything by these authors: Gena Showalter, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Richelle Mead, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, and Melissa Marr.

10. What are you working on next?

I'd like to finish the first book in an adult science fiction romance series I started last year. I'm about halfway there. Afterwards, I have to write the second book in the MORTAL ENCHANTMENT series. Needless to say, 2014 will be a busy year for me. ϑ

Every sacrifice has consequences.
Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:
Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.
Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.
Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Jennifer Armentrout! Seriously, JLA is better than Superman, Superwoman, Wonder Woman etc. It's just not possible for her to be human with the amount of writing she does and how magnificent it all is! I refuse to believe she is 100% human! She has to be something more! And, once again we are here to gush over a new book that is coming out! This time it is:

About The BookBy: Jennifer L. ArmentroutPublished by: Disney HyperionTo Be Released on: April 15th, 2014Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes and NobleAdd it to GoodreadsSamantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it’s one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took “mean girl” to a whole new level, and it’s clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She’s getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she’s falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn’t just buried deep inside of Sam’s memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

About The Author

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.